The Sheffield Wednesday North American Academy has announced the launch of its first North American Partner clubs through Global Image Sports.
The link with the North America Academy was announced over the summer and the two parties are pleased to confirm the first three partnerships:
Ballistic United
Pleasanton, California
The Ballistic United Soccer Club was established in 1968 to support the youth of Pleasanton, California and its surrounding un-incorporated areas.
Today, BUSC with its counterpart, the Pleasanton Rage, are the affiliated branches of the Pleasanton Youth Soccer League.
PYSL is recognised and complies with the authority of the California Youth Soccer Association-North (CYSA-N). CYSA-North is a state association in Region IV of the United States Youth Soccer Association. USYSA is a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
Ballistic United support players in many of Northern California’s best playing leagues and compete at many levels. It is Ballistic United’s mission to provide a programme dedicated to develop and sustain a quality, consistent, safe and positive environment to assist youth soccer players in attaining their highest possible level of personal skills, tactics, sportsmanship and overall soccer proficiency through proper teaching and competition.
Chesterfield United
Central Virginia.
Chesterfield United is a youth soccer club that caters to around 2,000 players in central Virginia.
The club has 37 travel teams - 26 Boys teams and 11 Girls (450 players), plus ten United Development Teams (70 players), and 60 recreation teams (800 per season).
The club caters to players between the ages 4-18. Chesterfield United programs start at the beginner’s levels in the recreational programme, progressing all the way to the United Development Program.
At the highest level of play, Chesterfield United’s academy teams play in the prestigious Atlantic Soccer League, which provides some of the best competition on the East Coast.
Chesterfield United are very excited, and honoured to partner with such an historic and decorated club as Sheffield Wednesday. The partnership will create another avenue and dimension in the club’s pyramid of player development for talented players at Chesterfield United.
Centerville United Soccer Association (CUSA)
Centerville, Ohio.
With nearly 3,000 players in their ranks, CUSA is one of the largest soccer clubs in Ohio. The three programme areas, each with a director and board, are the Recreational, Youth Competitive, and the Tournament programmes all overseen by an Executive Director.
CUSA promotes the development of the player’s skills, fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship and education. We emphasise the joy of learning, competing and improving each player’s skill level.
The focus of CUSA is the development of the individual player. Our goal is to maximise the development of the individual through programming that challenges each player, a coaching staff that adheres to high standards, and first class facilities.
CUSA is resolute in dedicating its time and resources to the technical, tactical, physical and psychological aspects of playing soccer. CUSA’s decision to stick by the development first no matter the result has paid off in the last few years with three players being selected to the US Soccer National Team’s programme.
Newly-installed academy manager at SWFC, Dean Ramsdale, said:
“I am very excited to learn of the relationship we have in place with Global Image Sports to help us develop strong relationships with partner clubs across North America.
“I look forward to working closely with our partners to maximise the benefits for both parties. This is a project that myself and Sheffield Wednesday are determined to make a long term success.”